An Illinois state senator has introduced legislation that would alter the state’s workers’ compensation law.<\/p>\n
State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) introduced a bill that would require \u201cprimary causation,\u201d meaning that a claim would be paid only if a worker’s injury was caused primarily by an on-the-job accident. <\/p>\n
Righter said that the more stringent causation standard was necessary in order to create jobs and attract investment. He said that too many businesses were choosing to relocate in neighboring states, in part because of Illinois’ higher premiums for workers’ compensation insurance. <\/p>\n
Critics of Righter’s bill point out that it would result in denial of benefits for workers who have preexisting conditions that are aggravated by workplace injuries. This could result in discrimination against older workers, who are more likely to have preexisting conditions.<\/p>\n
Righter estimated that requiring primary causation would reduce insurance premiums in the state by $1 billion per year. However, similar estimates were (more…)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" An Illinois state senator has introduced legislation that would alter the state’s workers’ compensation law. State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) introduced a bill that would require \u201cprimary causation,\u201d meaning that a claim would be paid only if a worker’s injury…<\/span><\/p>\n